Tel Aviv: Major General Aharon Haliva, the head of Israel’s Military Intelligence Directorate, has resigned, taking responsibility for the unit’s failures during the Hamas surprise attack on the Jewish state on October 7. This unprecedented attack marked the first invasion of Israeli territory since the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Here are the details:
- Attack Details:
- Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups launched coordinated armed incursions from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel.
- 3,000 Hamas-led terrorists breached the Gaza–Israel barrier, attacking military bases and massacring civilians in Gaza envelope Kibbutz settlements.
- The attackers killed 1,139 people, including 695 Israeli civilians (including 36 children), 71 foreign nationals, and 373 members of the security forces.
- Around 250 Israeli civilians and soldiers were taken as hostages to the Gaza Strip, including 30 children, to exchange them for imprisoned Palestinians.
- Haliva’s Resignation:
- In his resignation letter, Haliva expressed that the Intelligence Division under his command did not fulfill its task.
- He promised to do his best to accomplish the war’s goals.
- Haliva called for the establishment of an investigative committee to thoroughly examine the factors and circumstances that led to the difficult events.
- Vladimir Beliak’s Call for Netanyahu’s Resignation:
- Opposition Yesh Atid Party member, Vladimir Beliak, demanded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation.
- Beliak emphasized the need for an immediate inquiry committee to investigate the events surrounding October 7.
- IDF Statement:
- Confirming Haliva’s resignation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that he would retire after appointing a successor through an orderly and professional process.
- The Chief of Staff thanked Haliva for his significant contributions to the security of the State of Israel during his 38 years of service in the IDF.
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